The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-05-14
RELIABLE SEED CORN.
why Every Farmer Should Devote An Acre
In Cuttivnt finn.


to Its Cultivation.
II the proper pains are taken you can
secure seed corn raised upon your own
farm that for practical purposes will be |
equal II not better than any you can
purchase. My experience in trying
new varicties-and usually try from
n dozen to twenty varieties in order to
test their value-is that to q considcra-
bic extent new varieties, grown in a
different soil, in a different section,
planted and cultivated In different
manner must be acclimated, and one or
two years planting is often necessary
to secure this. There is under ordi-
nary circumstances no reasonable ex-
cuse for the average farmer being
obliged to purchase seed corn, or to
use Indifferent seed. Proper planting
and cultivating will generally give a
fair crop from which he can select II
sufficient quantity of seed that will be
Of good quality for his own use, and it
will not only be good seed that will
gcrminate but it will cost him
less than he can possibly purchase
the same quality. 1t may be necessary
If you have not got good stock to
commence with, to secure good stock
of seed; you can save considerable time
ut the start by this plan. 1t is not
necessary to purchase supply suffi-
cient for your whole crop-sufficient to
plant an acre will be ample. If the soil
is not naturally rich make it so by ap-
plying good dressing of well-rotted
stable manure and work it thoroughly
in with the soil. If you have not got the
well-rotted stable manure use bag Of
good commercial fertilizer, applied in
the hill before planting and worked well
into the soil. Plow the soil deep and
thorough; deep plowing regard as one
essential of good crop of corn. Pre-
pare in a good condition; you are pre-
pairing to raise an extra acreage of corn
and must take considerable pains to
properly prepare the land. Mark out
the rows three and half feet apart and
drop two grains every foot If COM
mercial fertilizers are used. apply in
the surrow after marking out and in
corporate thoroughly with the soil. After
dropping the seed cover we'll and step
upon the hill SO as to press the soil
well down upon the seed so that good
termination will be secured. do not
consider it good plan to plant the seed
until the soil is sufficiently warmed up
to induce quick termination
of the seed, and while am aware that
often seed will remain in the ground
for considerable time without germi-
mating, and then when the conditions
are more favorable will germinate and
grow, yet am satisfied that when seed
remains in the ground any longer than
is necessa ry to germinate properly
there is always more or less loss O
vitality that is certain to affect thu
growth and vigor of the plant. Th'
best plan is to wait until the soil i.
reasonably warm and then plant and
cover reasonably deep as much rs foul
inches at least. If the ground is rolled
after planting all the better, although
it is not strictly necessary. Commenc
the cultivation with the harrow and i
the weather is favorable so that tn
weeds or grass does not secure too goo
start that narrowing can always b
given economically. narrowing Wi
destroy the small weeds that are certai
to start up. and at the same time fine til
soil and give the plants a good start t
grow. Commence these as soon as pos
sible with the cultivator, working Il
close to the plants rs possible. Yo
want to work the soil up around til
plants as completely us possible. 1t i
very essential that a good start to grow
be secured, and this can only be don
by giving as thorough cultivation a
possible Mt the start. AS to the numbe
of times and how late the cultivation
must be given depends very much upo
the season. The surest rule to wor
upon is to cultivate until the crop
made, keeping clean and keeping til
soil mellow. Whenever the corn
, ripe gather the very best for seed. Til
best and heaviest ears with the large
, grain and the smallest cob, completed
, filed at both the butt and tip, DIR
thoroughly and store away. This
, my plan. and my experience Statistic
me that is good one. 1t will Civ
, you good seed that under proper col
. ditions will germinate and grow an
! give you strong vigorous plants, and a
a less cost than the same quality can b
secured by purchasing.-M J She
herd, in Des Moines (Ia.) Leader.